Match Report
Caldy arrived at Dillingham Park for this re-arranged match on the type of day you would normally expect in July.
From the kick off by Ampthill deep into the Caldy 22, the ball was passed along the line but was knocked on into the hands of Sam Hanks who had it knocked out of his hands to Sam Hudson to score after 30 seconds. James Pritchard landed the extras.
Sam Hudson opens the scoreline for Ampthill after only 30 seconds!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Following strong pressure in the Caldy half, Syd Blackmore broke through the Caldy defence to go over under the posts for the first of his three tries, James Pritchard adding the conversion.
Syd Blackmore adds to the Ampthill scoreline with his first try of the match…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Approaching the half hour, Sam Baker went over under the posts leaving a simple job for James Pritchard.
Sam Baker in less than his normal elegant finishing style….
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
From a lineout on 38 minutes, in a typical catch and drive, Sam Hanks secured a bonus point with home side’s fourth try of the day. 26-0 at half time.
Sam Hanks in his trademark Orange boots adds to the scoreline for Ampthill.
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
The visitors started strongly in the second half and only stout defence by Ampthill kept them at bay. Gradually the home side got back into gear and Man of the Match, Syd Blackmore went over in the corner on 51 minutes with James Pritchard getting the conversion from a difficult angle.
Syd Blackmore adopting a pose more normally attributed to Sam Baker
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
On 55 minutes, Ciaran Whyte, who had replaced Will Foster at half time, scored under the posts leaving the simplest of conversions for James Pritchard.
Ciaran Whyte between the posts with style…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Shortly after replacing Kevin Barrett as scrum-half, Euan McKirdy scored his first of the day after a strong run by Soane Tonga’uiha with James Pritchard adding his 6th conversion of the day.
Soane Tonga’uiha strarts his attack…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Euan McKirdy goes for his first try of the match…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
5 minutes later, after strong pressure in the home 22, Caldy were awarded a penalty try for their only score of the day.
Kevin Barrett adding to the scoreline yet again for Ampthill…
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
But Ampthill were not finished yet and on 67 minutes McKirdy got his second try and James Pritchard his 7th conversion.
Euan McKirdy over the line for the second time this match!
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
Syd Blackmore then completed his hat trick on 76 minutes with James Pritchard missing the extras.
Syd Blackmore completing his hatrick for the match
(Photo: Iain Frankish, Actuance Photography)
“It’s been coming for the last few weeks, it’s been an 80 minutes performance, accurate, direct. The score is maybe pretty tough on Caldy who have arrived with an injury-hit team but I can’t ask any more from our guys. The set piece was good, direct, powerful and very accurate in the back division. It’s a great time to hit our bootstraps for the massive game next week at Rotherham.”
